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Description

Streptopus lanceolatus var. roseus

Also known as:

twistedstalk

,

rose mandarin

,

rosy twisted-stalk

,

rose twisted-stalk

Scientific Synonyms:

Streptopus roseus

Description

Twistedstalk stems are usually uninterrupted, though some might be branched on larger, mature plants. They are finely haired, and more densely so around the nodes. The leaves are pointed at the tip, and rounded at the base, sometimes clasping the stem, and alternate . The flowers are bell-shaped, delicate, tinged with pink or shades of purple, and dangle on short stems that are attached to the leaf axil. There is usually only one flower per leaf axil, but occasionally there are two. Flowers are followed by round berries that are about 1/2 inch in diameter, and ripen to rich shades of red and purplish-red.

Cultivation

The native range of Streptopus lanceolatus var. roseus is limited to the Appalachian mountains from western NY state to the north, to northern GA in the south. It is a cool climate species that will benefit from a northern exposure, particularly in the warmer limits of its range. It should be grown in full, to part-shade, in rich, moist, acidic soil. Plants should be well mulched for the winter, preferably with leaf mulch. As the plants mature, they will form loose clumps via rhizomes, and may also slowly spread from seed. Bloom times will vary depending on the climate at the plant's location: as early as mid-spring in the warmer limits of its range, and as late as mid-summer in the colder limits. Zones 4-7

Propagation

Plants can be divided when dormant. Sow seeds immediately when they have ripened. Collected, and cleaned seeds, will require a period of cold stratification before sowing in spring.

Additional Notes

Streptopus lanceolatus var. roseus is uncommon in the wild, where it should be considered endangered, and it is even less common in cultivation. However, it is a very attractive plant, easy to grow in the shade, and worthy of more attention.

Streptopus lanceolatus var. roseus used to be named Streptopus roseus, before it was renamed and divided into four variations: S. lanceolatus var. roseus in the southern Appalachians, S. lanceolatus var. lanceolatus in the northeast, S. lanceolatus var. longipes in the western region of the Great Lakes, and S. lanceolatus var. curvipes in the west.

The species name provides an excellent physical description of the plant: strepto, from the Greek, means twisted, and describes the zigzagging stem. Lanceolata, from Latin, means lance-shaped, and describes the leaves. And finally roseus describes the pinkish color of the bell-shaped flowers.